Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners in Heilongjiang Province Women's Prison

(Minghui.org) The No. 11 and No. 9 Prison Districts (Group Drill Team) of Heilongjiang Province Women's Prison are the so-called “transformation” prison districts. They are especially severe in the persecution of practitioners. The No. 9 Prison District has been brutally torturing practitioners, especially after warden Bai Yingxian took office. The No. 9 District's current supervisor is Sun Wei, and the assistant supervisor is Dong Lihua. Other officers participating in the persecution include Wang Xiaoqi, Shang Dongwei, and Fan Tingting.

The No. 9 District has been using various means to torture practitioners. In the Group Drill Team in the No. 9 District, there are four cells with at least three women in each cell. Each day they are forced to sit on small stools from 5:30 a.m. till 8:30 p.m. Inmates who monitor them also follow them if they go to the bathroom. They are not allowed to speak. They do not give practitioners hot water to drink. Some of the practitioners held here are: Ms. Wang Luodan, Ms. Luo Ying, and Ms. Song Wenjuan from Wuyi Village of Zhoujia Town, Harbin City. The Duty Office of the No. 9 District: [phone], [phone]

Wang Xiaoli, the No. 7 District supervisor, and Chang Xiaoli, the assistant supervisor of the No. 9 District, have actively participated in the persecution of practitioners. In early August of 2011, they began to physically torture practitioners. Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., they would force practitioners to sit on small plastic stools and would not allow them to move a bit. Practitioners were only allowed to use the bathroom every two hours. This went on until the night of the Chinese New Year. Beginning in October 2011, it was extremely cold in the winter and they would not give practitioners any hot water to drink. Practitioners, among them, Ms. Yu Qiuyan (60 years old) and Ms. Li Yajuan (who has been released) had to live in the cold, damp cells. Ms. Yu was slapped in the face by Wang Xiaoli, who also grabbed her head and threw her against the wall. Wang also violently kicked her and then took her to the isolated cell. On February 28, 2012, practitioner Ms. Li Xiaomei was detained in the storage room. Each day she was forced to sit on a small stool from 6 a.m. Until 10:30 p.m. Even practitioners in their 60s in the No. 7 District are also forced to do physical labor. Some practitioners are forced to work in the day and work overtime at night, and slept very little.

 
Torture re-enactment: Sitting on a small stool

Ms. Yu Qiuyan, in her late 50s, had to sit on a small plastic stool for 17 hours and was not allowed to move or stand or she would be punched and kicked. Inmate Yu Shufan would stab her with knitting needles or slap her in the face or body. Inmate Qu Xiaohua would slap her in the face. They also would not allow her to go to sleep or use the restroom. They forced-fed her unknown drugs and used force-feeding to torture her. They would strip her naked to freeze her. She was not allowed to speak. They used belts to tie her to a ladder and taped her mouth shut. They left her tied her there for one week. Each day they would pour water on her head. They forced her to watch TV programs that slandered Falun Dafa. Inmate Li Shuangli grabbed her shoulders and pushed down hard on her head. Due to long term sitting, her buttocks oozed pus and blood. They then ordered her to stand for a long time. Inmates would kick her in her injured buttocks, knocking her to the ground. After prolonged periods of remaining standing, the soles and bottoms of her feet also oozed pus. The inmates would intentionally stomp on her feet to injure her further. They also pulled her by her hair and lifted her off the ground, and then threw her to the ground.

Ms. Xie Jinda from Archeng, 35, was subjected to brainwashing, and her previous illness of epilepsy relapsed. Often she would convulse and fall unconscious. Once one of her teeth was knocked out, and her life was in danger. The prison refused to release her and still detained her in the No. 10 District, where the conditions are very poor.

Ms. Guan Suming, 44, is from the Jinshantun District in Yichun. Due to torture, she often loses consciousness, but she has not been released despite her failing health. Ms. Li Xiaomei and Ms. Guan Suming are denied hot water to drink. On March 15, when there was a prison inspection, Ms. Li Xiaomei was sent home for one day. Then they detained her in the storage room. Lin Jia, the political instructor who was new to the prison district, also participated in the persecution.

Ms. Wang Shumei, 45, is a farmer from Tongtian Village, Boli County, Heilongjiang Province. On August 4, 2008, she was sent to the women's prison and subjected to brainwashing. They would play CD's that slandered Falun Dafa and Master. At night, they would force her to sit on a small stool without moving. Each day, she was forced to sit from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Then she was sent to the “transformation” room, where she was subjected to brainwashing. She was ordered to write the Three Statements. When she refused to be “transformed,” they held her down to force her fingerprints on the documents. After that, they gave her a written test full of items that slandered Falun Dafa. She was only allowed to answer Yes or No. Three months later, if she passed everything to their satisfaction, she was allowed to go to the team. After another three months, they gave her three more tests and three thought reports to write. Only then was she allowed to go to the workshop to do manual labor. If she refused to do the unpaid work, she was sent to the isolated cell until she agreed to do it.

Ms. Dong Lingui, 64, lives in Shunhe Police Station in the Qianjin District of Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province. She sold fruit wholesale. She was wrongfully sentenced to 12 years. On September 3, she was sent to the Women's Prison of Heilongjiang Province. Because she refused to write the guarantee statement not to practice Falun Gong, male guard (Xiao Lin) slapped her in the face 20 times. Then she was detained in the isolated cell and handcuffed. Since she refused to memorize Article 58 of the criminal code, Wang Yali, the captain, would not allow her to go to sleep and tortured her every day and also forced her to imitate animal movements. Since she refused to memorize the six “forbidden rules” (all slandering Falun Dafa), guard Yang Hua would not allow her to close her eyes for 12 days and nights. They physically and verbally abused her. At night, guard Yang Fengling and other inmates beat her and then put her in the isolated cell. They put handcuffs on her and tied her to floor rings or iron chairs. They force-fed her several times. A male guard whose last name is Lin taped her mouth shut and beat her when he was drunk. She was almost suffocated. Guard Zheng Jie ordered her to recite a slanderous report and detained her in an isolated cell. She had to wear both handcuffs and shackles for two weeks. Zhang Jie beat her violently three times. She became weak and had no energy, and was emaciated. Guard Zhao Yingling ordered prisoners to use big wooden sticks to beat her.

 
Torture re-enactment: The Iron Chair

Ms. Zhang Yuhua, 58, retired, is from the Xi'an District of Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province. She was arrested on March 4, 2009. Taken to the women's prison, she was brainwashed in the No. 9 District. Every day they would force her to watch DVD's that slandered Falun Gong. Each day from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., she was forced to sit on a small stool. Each day the inmates who were monitoring her would brainwash her and order her to write the guarantee statement. They would force her to copy the four guarantee statements that they had prepared earlier. Then they would give her a written test full of items that slandered and defamed Falun Dafa. She was forced to write reports of her thoughts. She had to have her thought reports approved before another three months of “reinforcement,” followed by forced labor. The team leader was Xu Yang.

Ms. Liu Bo, 56, from Daqing City, is retired. In January 2010, she was sentenced to 7 years. Each day she is forced to sit on a small stool from 5 a.m. till 10 p.m. She is monitored by two inmates and has to do manual labor every day. If she does not cooperate, she is put in isolation.

Ms. Liu Bobin, 49, from Harbin City was sentenced to 5 years beginning in October 2009. She was subjected to brainwashing and forced labor, followed by detention in isolation if she did not cooperate.

Ms. Zhou Huifang, 66, from Hailin City, Heilongjiang Province, is retired. She was sentenced to 5 years in August 2009. On April 21, 2010, she was sent to the women's prison. Police would not allow her to appeal and used all kinds of intimidation and deception to force her to be “transformed.” Each day they would play TV programs slandering Falun Gong. Several criminals would take turns to talk to her to try to coerce her to “transform.” After being “transformed,” she was sent for forced labor. If she did not cooperate, she was put in isolation.

Ms. Zhang Jiqiu is from the Hongguang Community in the Tiefeng District, Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province. On March 28, 2006, she was detained. In January 2007, she was sent to the women's prison. She was detained at the No. 9 District. Prisoners who have participated in abusing her include Wei Dong (from the No. 9 District), Ding Hui (released), Du Xiaoxia from the No. 9 District, and Jia Jie from Harbin Newspaper (released). In 2008, she was placed in the No. 13 District. She was put in isolation after they found her in possession of Master's articles. Guards who have participated in abusing her include Xu Yang (the captain), Niu Cuisong (the assistant captain), Zhang Ying, and Chang Jingzhi.

Ms. Sun Wuhu, 50, who worked in the Railway System, is from the Fularji District of Qiqihar City. On August 17, 2009, she was sentenced to 8 years by Fularji District Court. On August 19, 2009, she was sent to Heilongjiang Women's Prison and detained in the No. 9 District. The last name of the guard who was arranged to monitor her was Shang. They ordered inmates Wang Dongmei (who is in the No. 11 District) and Chen Yuwei (frin the No. 11 District) to “transform” her. Each morning she was awakened at 5:30 a.m. and forced to sit on a small stool till 3:30 a.m. the next morning, a total of 22 hours. The small stool was only about 10 cm high. She had to keep her legs and her toes aligned and her back straight. She was not allowed to move at all. She was tortured like that for 15 days. Her buttocks festered, and her spine was bruised and swollen. Qing Liya (in the No. 9 District) and Wei Huayun (released) saw that one of her toenails fell off after being stomped on. Her blood pressure was above 200Hg every day, and she suffered heart palpitations. Guard Shang forced her to stand in the office for an entire afternoon. When she said that she could not sit on the stool anymore, the guard then forced her to stand without moving. Guard Wang Shanshan, who is now a captain, threatened her by saying that they would put her in isolation if she did not sit on the small stool. On January 16, 2010, she was transferred to the No. 13 District, and her blood pressure remained at around 200. Each day she had to do some manual labor like rubbing cotton swabs or packaging toothpicks.

Ms. An Jingtao, 45, is from the Longsha District of Qiqihar City. In February 2001, she was sentenced to five years. Released in June 2006, in March 2006 she was then sentenced to 9 years.

Ms. Yang Yanchun, 44, is from Dongfanghong Bureau of Forestry in Hulin, Heilongjiang Province. On December 8, 2006, she was sentenced to 7 years. In August 2007, she was sent to the No. 9 District of Harbin Women's Prison. Each day she was forced to get up at 5:30 a.m. to sit on a small stool till 8:30 p.m., except for meals. Those who participated in the abuse included captain Tao Shuping ( now chief of the political section), inmate Wei Dong ( in the No. 9 District now), Xiao Qinghua (released), and Jia Jie (released). On April 29, 2011, Ms. Yang was detained in an isolated cell because she did not do forced labor. She was handcuffed to the icy cold floor bed day and night. At night they would open the window to let the cold air in until 9 p.m. Xu Yang, captain of the No. 13 District, said that they would detain her there until she agreed to do forced labor. Those who participated in the abuse from the No. 13 District included captain Xu Yang, guards Chang Jingzhi and Li Xinzheng, and inmates Cui Guiqin (released) and Yu Ying. Ms. Yang was often dizzy after being released from isolation.

Ms. Chen Xiangyun is from Xinxing Village, Kunmierti Town, Moqi County. She was sent to prison in 2000 on criminal charges. On February 23, 2002, they changed her term to 20 years. She obtained Falun Dafa in 2004 and has been working in the workshop.

Ms. Sun Fenghua, 50, lives in Zhongxin Street inthe Honggang District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province. On May 15, she was arrested by a policeman from Harbin. She was sentenced to 14 years by Hailun City Court. On October 17, 2003, she was sent to Harbin Women's Prison. She is scheduled to return home on May 14, 2017.

Ms. Zhong Li, 44, is from Zhangxin Coal Mine, Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province. She and her husband were deceived and arrested on May 14, 2009, from their home. They were sentenced to 8 years by the Jiguan District Court in Jixi City. On November 22, 2010, she was sent to the women's prison. Due to the intense brainwashing in the No. 11 District, she had symptoms of high blood pressure. On May 14, 2009, Liu Xuegang, Ms. Zhong's husband, who worked in Zhangxin Coal Mine in Jixi City, was sentenced to 8 years by the Jiguan District Court.

Ms. Chi Xiandao, 48 and a mechanical engineer, is from Dongfengxin Village, Daqing City. In the beginning of 2010, she and her husband went to their hometown in Shandong to pick up their 80-year-old father and 75-year-old mother for medical treatment. Later her husband went back to Shandong to work. Ms. Chi had to look after both of the parents, who could not look after themselves due to severe medical issues, as well as their child in high school. On February 26, 2010, over a dozen plainclothes police from Daqing National Security Team and Sartu Branch Police Station tricked her into opening her door. They took two computers, a printer, and lots of personal items. During the process, they verbally abused Ms. Chi's elderly parents and her son. They also threatened to beat them. They took away Ms. Chi, who did not get the chance to put on her shoes, right in front of her stunned parents and child. Her husband had to give up his job in Shandong and rush back home. Ms. Chi's father passed away at her home in 2011, and her mother was in a state of depression. On the evening of February 26, Sun Wanku, a deputy police director, falsified evidence to frame Ms. Chi. In June 2010, she was sent to the No. 9 District in Heilongjiang Province Women's Prison. In the beginning of 2011, she was taken to the No. 12 District. On October 31, 2010, she was beaten by inmates forcing her to wear the prison uniform. She was stripped to her shorts and bra. They left the window open to freeze her. She was then put in solitary for 15 days.

Ms. Chi Hanping, 47, who began the practice of Falun Gong after she was sent to prison, lives in the No. 4 Team, Yuanming Village, Boli County, Heilongjiang Province. She was sent to prison on July 29, 1995, on a criminal charge. On December 12, 1997, her term was changed to 20 years from life imprisonment. She obtained Falun Dafa in April 2004. From that day on, guards would not give her any points for sentence reduction anymore, and she has been working in the workshop in the No. 1 District). The team leader was Cui Hongmei, and the “transformation” team leader was Xia Fengying. She was sent back to the prison dorm in August 2009. Based on the normal term reduction, she should be released in 2008. Instead, she is scheduled to be released on February 11, 2015.

Ms. Xie Yaqin, 59, who began the practice of Falun Gong after she was sent to prison on criminal charges, lives in Shucai Team, Yushu Commune, Zhaozhou County, Heilongjiang Province. She was sent to prison in June 1993. On September 15, 1995, her term was changed to 20 years from life imprisonment. On June 3, 1998, her term was reduced by one year and two months. In December 1998, she obtained Falun Dafa. After the persecution of Falun Gong started in July 1999, the prison stopped giving her any points. The team leader was Wu Yanjie, and the team leader for “transformations” was Tao Shuping, from July 1999 to 2007. (During that time period the team leaders were Cui Hongmei, Xia Fengying, and Wang Xiaoli). In December 2007, she was sent back to the dorm and was put in isolation four times. Based on normal term reduction, she should have been released in 2008. Now she has to wait until 2014.

Ms. Gao Guopo, 52, who began the practice of Falun Gong after she was sent to prison on criminal charges, is from Hutou Village, Qunshan Town, Sunwu County, Heilongjiang Province. She was sent to prison in 1993. She obtained the Fa in 1998. She was put in isolation several times. During that time, the captains were Wu Yanjie, Xia Fengying, and Wang Xiaoli. Based on normal term reduction, she was supposed to go home in 2008. Now she will get out of prison in 2014.

Ms. Gao Xiuling, 52, who began the practice of Falun Gong after she was sent to prison on criminal charges, is from Changchan Village, Shuangcheng Town, Shuangcheng County, Harbin City. She was sent to prison in 1997. In 1999, they changed her life sentence to 20 years. She obtained the Fa in February 1998. She would have been released in 2012, but now she has to stay in prison until 2020.

Heilongjiang Province Women's Prison:
Bai Yingxian, warden: [phone]
Shi Genghui, deputy warden: [phone]

Please refer to the original Chinese text for more names and telephone numbers.